Chapter 182 - An Even Worse Situation (2/2)

In the capital, the situation wasn't looking any better. Qiu Ling still hadn't woken up after this week. Madam Zhong was running to the teahouse in the morning and did her work with only half of her mind there. If somebody asked, she told them that her son-in-law had fallen ill and that she was gravely worried.

None of the guests made trouble for her because of that. All of them could imagine why she was this anxious. After all, a lot depended on a son-in-law. Especially for a widow like Madam Zhong.

As soon as the last guest left the teahouse, Madam Zhong hastened back home. She sat next to Qiu Ling's bed and peered at his face, looking for any signs of him waking up. She couldn't find any, though. It was as if Qiu Ling had been turned into a jade statue and would continue to be like that for all eternity.

With each passing day, Madam Zhong grew more anxious, until she finally couldn't take it any longer and went to see Yu Jin who had stayed in one of the rooms of Zhong Gang's house in case Qiu Ling's condition might worsen.

”Daoist Yu.” Madam Zhong knocked on his door.

Yu Jin opened his eyes but he didn't stand up or open the door. ”What may I do for you?”

”It's …” She sighed. ”My son-in-law is still not awake. I know you said you can't do anything. But there is something else. Before he collapsed he had taken my son out of the capital. It's already been a week but I still haven't heard of him. You … might you know something?”

Yu Jin looked at the door. ”Your son?”

”Mn. Zhong Jing Yi. He's also from the Yun Zou Sect. So maybe you know him?”

Yu Jin lowered his gaze. ”I've heard of him. I haven't seen him, though.”

”Oh.”

The two of them fell silent. Madam Zhong wanted to beg him to go look for Jing Yi but in the end, she didn't. After all, this wasn't Qiu Ling. She couldn't expect any help.

”Then, I'm sorry to have disturbed you.”

”It's alright. It's to be expected that you are worried. I'm sorry that I can't be of more help.” Yu Jin closed his eyes again. He understood what she had tried to say but unfortunately, he couldn't fulfill her wish. He had to stay and keep an eye on Qiu Ling. If he went away and something happened to him at that time … He didn't even want to imagine the consequences.

”In the end, what is it that kept his consciousness back even until now? I couldn't find anything but it certainly isn't normal. He should have been awake for a long time already.”